Dr. H. Hunter Handsfield, possible acute hiv symptoms?

[scared2death888]

on November 18th i had unprotected vaginal sex with a girl that i met at a bar, she didnt look the healthiest (very skinny). i am uncircumcised and didnt shower till the next afternoon. about 2.5 weeks later i started getting head aches which i never get, then at 3 weeks i had a very red throat that was really vainy (not really sore tho), EXTREME Fatigue and muscle aches and night sweats. i checked during the day a bunch of times thru out the 2 weeks that these symptoms lasted and had no fever. at about 4 weeks after exposure i got these little white bumps on my lip that have lasted still. At 3.5 weeks i had rapid test that read "non-reactive" and "no p24 antigen and no hiv1/hiv2 antibodies detected" it says on the sheet "hiv1/2 Ag/Ab combo screen". also got checked for everything else, no mono or stds. my question is how acurate would that test have been at 3.5 weeks, and if i go for another rapid test at 7 weeks how acurate would that be? and are these symptoms?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.   FYI, Dr. Handsfield and I share the forum.  You got me.  FYI, the reason we share the forum is because we have worked together for nearly 30 years and while our verbiage styles vary, we have never disagreed on management strategies or advice to clients.  I'll be answering your question.

The symptoms you had (sore throat, muscle aches) are some of the symptoms which can be caused by early HIV however your symptoms were definitely NOT due to HIV.  If they had been, your DUO test would have been positive.  When symptoms are due to HIV, the tests become positive in less than a week following their onset.  

Furthermore, even did persons who do not develop symptoms, the DUO tests are positive within 4 weeks of exposure, thus your 3.5 week result, while not completely definitive is still further evidence that you did not get HIV from the exposure you mention.  My advice is not to worry further.  I hope my comments are helpful. EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You are haggling and your question is repetitive.  It is now a (little) bit clearer so I will provide a single, final answer to the question above.  Further, I DID look at your specifics and this is what informed my reply.

One more time- When symptoms are due to HIV, the tests become positive in less than a week following their onset.   This repsonse reffers to the antibody tests but is also the case for tests which test for the p24 antigen.

End of thread.  EWH

[scared2death888]

when you said "When symptoms are due to HIV, the tests become positive in less than a week following their onset."  is what i was reffering to in that question. I dont mean to continue to haggle but its a rather simple question and i paid $22 hoping that you'd look at my case specific and take a minute or two to consider the factors, and not just the "risk of exposure"
thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Niether is reliably positve at 1 week.  Please re-read the comments above.  I will have nothing more to say. EWH

[scared2death888]

what tests become posative 1 week after the symptoms start? p24 or antibody?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, even with the non-specific symptoms that you describe.  EWH

[scared2death888]

even though considering my symptoms?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You indicated ""no p24 antigen and no hiv1/hiv2 antibodies detected" it says on the sheet "hiv1/2 Ag/Ab combo screen". - this is a DUO test.

No, I would not have recommended testing for you on the basis of the exposure you described.  EWH

[scared2death888]

what would you say regarding my case tho? if i hadnt had any testing would you have recommended it? the whole uncircumsized and not showering, would that have increased my chances? thanks doc

[scared2death888]

so was my test a DUO? i dont know how to tell, and i thought they didnt usually use those in north america?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Most rapid tests check only for antibodies.  An antibody test, including a rapid test would not be defintive until 8 weeks following exposure.  The DUO test however would be definitive at any time more than 4 weeks following exposure.  EWH

[scared2death888]

thank you very much! i have been freaking out for the last 6 weeks! I still think im going to go for another rapid test just to be sure, so at 6.5 weeks if its negative i can be assured? im not sure what generation rapid tests they use here in toronto. sorry i dont mean to bombard you with questions. thanks.

[scared2death888]

also regarding the bumps on my lip, ive never had cold sores. and i've had diarrhea off and on since the symptoms started and i felt very nauseous through out the 2 weeks i had the symptoms.